I'm considering getting the book 'Sylvia's Bridal Sampler' by Jennifer Chiaverini, with the intention of making the quilt. Our library does not hold a copy, so I can't check it out before buying.

Have any of you made this quilt, or had the book?

I would really like to know if

a) the instructions are clear and don't expect you to be an expert

b) is it sufficiently challenging to feel as though you have achieved something

c) does it help you with fabric requirements and colours etc.

Any advice or experience you can offer on this would be gratefully received.
Thank you.

If you have not already done so, check out the "official" website. http://www.sylviasbridalsampler.com/ There is a wealth of indormation there, including a link to fabric requirements http://web.mac.com/chiaverini/Sylvia...endations.html. They used to have the pattern instructions online, but removed them when the pattern book was published this spring. :(

Hey Barbara, ask if your library does inter-libary loan. Our library can get books from any library in the state of Illinois. There is a 50 cent charge for getting a book in but it is a great way to review a book before buying.

Lisa

I once started one. That's when all the patterns were still for free.

On the site the instructions were very clear and there also was help for fabric requirements and colours.

It's was my first quiltproject (In 2007 I was a real quiltnoob :oops: ) and it was way, way to difficult for me. So I made another quilt first and then finished my mini-SBS(size babycrib). Did quit after 60 blocks and in the babycrib are 55 of them and block 56 I designed myself, just for fun. It's all handmade.

I also made the mistake that I wanted to work with one backgroundfabric but didn't buy enough.. Beginnermistake I think.

On this topic you can see it.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/26592.page

My own designed block is designed as a quiltlabel. 4th row and 3th block.

Thank you. I'd found the official website, but hadn't found this page. It's great help, thanks again.

You can order a book from our library, but it will cost at least £2 (a seventh of the cost of the book) so I thought I would tap the experience of the board first.

Wow. your quilt looks awesome, all your colours work so well together.

Barbara, I guess cheap book loans is one more thing I should be thankful for. It's good to get a reminder once in awhile of how good I have it. :)

Maksi, your quilt is gorgeous!

How strange - I had stumbled onto the website for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt just this morning before coming here! The slide show is a lovely way to see the blocks as the pictures are excellent.

I don't have this book, but have Jennifer Chiaverini's other pattern books and they are very complete, so can't imagine that this one is any different. If you want to make a certain thing, and need the pattern, then the investment is worthwhile. It seems to me that it would be a good source of block patterns, too, even if you didn't make the whole quilt.

Also you can watch ebay and amazon. Sometimes you can buy there a (secondhand) book for about 10 dollar and in the shop is it for 19,95 so you can save on that and you dont have to bring back the book to the library.

Check out Quilt With Us at Connecting Threads. There is a group Darlene's Slackers that is working on this quilt. It started June 15, 2009 but since we are "slackers"- quilters are joining at any time and quickly passing up those of us who are REALLLLy slackers. It is a fun group and very helpful. The blocks are a mixture of easy, average and difficult and all different methods-piecing, foundation piecing, English paper piecing, and applique. Come check us out.
Lucia

i just looked quickly at all the blocks and it seems as though the blocks are all available ones in the public domain. if you go to the website given by ghostrider, you'll have the layout and the blocks all ready to be set up for you.

unless i'm wrong, i don't think you really need the book. with a little research you could probably find the block patterns yourself. many of them are on quilter's cache. if you're not familiar with that site it's:

http://www.quilterscache.com

have fun :wink:

edited to say: in answer to the real question: some of the blocks are quite easy. others are for advanced quilters. don't let that stop you. if you go at it, you'll become an advanced quilter.

Hi Lucia

Thank you so much.

Checked it out, and it's just great! I am going to look through all those lovely blocks and get lots of ideas.

I don't expect I shall start it properly until next summer, but I can start buying some fabrics to put by can't I?!!

Barbara

It was the slide show of all those beautiful quilts that made me wonder if I could try this. The colours and variety are truly lovely.

As you say, the investment is well worth it, but I wanted to check with folk who are a lot more experienced than me, if it was a viable project that wouldn't prove too frustrating.

Thanks for your help.

Thanks for your encouragement. An advanced quilter? That would be good!!

wow, I just was surfing and found this book

http://www.sylviasbridalsampler.com/

Has anyone made this quilt yet? or any of the blocks?

On my list to do.

I have had this book out only recently from the library, if your into quilt books it's a beautiful book to have for your own library. :-)

i have most of the series. i dont know how difficult the instructions will be to make the quilt. but i love the books. there are bet. 17 - 22 books in the series. 22 if you count the cook book, & some of the others that are not connected to the book series themselves.

turtlerouge

Hi! The book just fell into my cart when I bought my sewing machine. :-D I really like this book. I understood the directions just fine. The book gives directions for paperpiecing some of the blocks. So I had a binding put on it so it would be easier to copy the patterns. I have made six of the blocks so far. Hope this helps.

Check out quiltwithus.connectingthreads.com and look at the group Darlene's Slackers Quilt Along. We are making Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. There is lots of discussion and helpful hints on making some of the blocks. Also, there are corrections on some of the directions in the book. We started last June but several have joined just recently. A couple have completed it but many others have only a few blocks made. I have about 40 made. It is a fun group, come join us.
Lucia

I have the book as well...you can get it from BOMC2.com for 12.95...free shipping as with all of their books. :)

Now I just have to make use of it!

I would really like to try making these blocks as well. I have the book, and my lqs has an ongoing monthly sampler that anybody can jump in on. I am seriously thinking about it, but I have so many that I want to do..decisions decisions decisions...Joanie

if you go to

[email protected]

you can join the official email list, weekly challenges etc.

also a yahoo group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SBS_Offline_Quilters/

hope that helps

i put in a bid on the book from ebay. i wish i had known about BOMC2.com. i never heard of that buying site before. thanks.

btw, amazon was the most expensive, then ebay and then barnes and noble.
but the best was bomc2. if i lose the bid (i hope so), that's where i'll go.

I got the book as a present for my birthday. I am presently collecting the fabrics to make it (I don't have a stash), but I am really looking forward to starting it.

I hope I will then be able to join your group Lucia.

Come on. You can join now. We have members at all stages-haven't begun, working slowly, working quickly, and finished. You can see pictures of completed blocks and get ideas for colors and placement. There are a few from the UK, also.

Oooh I'll have to look this up. I am just starting the quilt.

I made the Shooting Star block from the book and found it to be a good experience. It had a paper pieced portion and I was able to follow the directions and complete the block.

Great idea.

i have the series but i dont have that specific book. i seen it in joanns. it has all the patterns that are mentioned in the series.

turtlerouge

i too would like to join up but I hardly know anything about sewing, quilting ect... I do basic squares, & triangles.

turtlerouge

Thanks Lucia, I've joined.

This is a good project to learn new techniques and if,when, you have a question, there is always someone with some advice or can suggest an online tutorial to help. I intend to learn how to sew inset seams! There are all levels of skill in this group and the ones who participate in the chats are definitely not critical or superior acting but are helpful and encouraging.
Lucia

I have been quilting for a few years now...but I have never tried applique or any type of paper piecing. I am strictly a patchwork kinda girl thus far. Do you think this quilt would be too advanced for me? (I am waiting for approval on connecting threads as well heh)

In the book, all the ladies made old, tried and true blocks, so there is nothing there that's unique. I like to buy books that teach me something new in quilting. Traditional blocks are easy to find for free.

I have the book, and have made a few of the blocks. the instructions are very clear, and all patterns come with the book.